DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT FOR –

“Internal layout improvements to existing second floor accommodation and proposed installation of dormer windows”

Riverside Cottage

Leek Road, Waterhouses

On behalf of Mr & Mrs Whitta 27th June 2016 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT REF: Riverside Cottage, Waterhouses

This document has been prepared to support a Householder Planning Application in order to introduce the proposed layout & access improvements at Riverside Cottage, Leek Road, Waterhouses.

This statement will be based on providing an introduction to the site, its history, some local planning history and a look at the planning policy context; SITE LOCATION:

Waterhouses is a village in the south of the Staffordshire Peak District on the road from Leek to Ashbourne.

Much of the village is close to the River Hamps, a tributary of the River Manifold, and at the southern end of the track of the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway (now the Manifold Way), which ran to Hulme End. Nearby is the Cauldon cement plant of Lafarge Cement, and a large Tarmac limestone quarry.

FIGURE 1: Location of Waterhouses in Context with the Boundary of Peak District National Park There are a variety of architectural styles within the locale of Waterhouses, but predominantly the traditional form and appearance of stone dwellings appears to characterise the setting.

There exits a variety of built heritage in the area ranging from what are presumably C18/C19 dwellings to a number of much later modern homes.

The architectural styles can vary quite significantly, but generally the materials palate is duplicated throughout the village and is typical of the district. INFORMATION ON RIVERSIDE COTTAGE:

Our desktop survey has identified a structure being present on the application site as early as the 1881 Ordinance Survey Map.

The 1881 and 1967 records of the Ordinance Survey Maps illustrated below demonstrate the immediate vicinity has largely been undeveloped with regards to the new residential developments. The local topography and geography of the surrounding area appears to have promoted largely quarrying and presumably some level of agricultural uses historically. The site lies outside the main settlement of the village. Consequently the position is somewhat isolated bar a few other residential dwellings along the Leek Road / River Hamps. We understand Riverside Cottage is not a Listed Building and not within a Conservation Area.

We understand Riverside Cottage lies on the boundary between the Peak District National Park and Staffordshire Moorlands district. Indeed it would appear that traditionally the boundary of the National Park followed the line of the River Hamps (i.e everything North of) whereas the application site lies just south of the River. THE EXISTING COTTAGE:

Riverside Cottage exhibits a typically familiar form and appearance one might expect for the area. A double fronted detached property formed in stone with reasonably small window openings.

The roof is gable ended, relatively steep and finished with Staffordshire Blue clay tiles.

The accommodation is split over 3 floors with existing bedroom space within the roof.

The site is long and narrow, set between the leek road and River Hamps. THE PROPOSED DESIGN:

Riverside cottage has an existing second floor habitable room within the roof space. This is presumably part of the original fabric given the presence of a hearth and grate of some considerable age within the chimney stack. Generally proposed plans revolve around internal alterations and predominantly making improvements to the existing layout and access arrangements.

The existing access to the Second Floor space is via an extremely step staircase. Using these stairs feels rather dangerous to the uninitiated, the goings of each step are very short making a slip on the stairs feel like it could be an inevitability.

The brief of the project is to improve access to the second floor and make the necessary alterations to ensure this space is improved, useable and has an effective layout. The proposals revolve around the installation of a new staircase, accessed from a different position on the hallway. The resultant new layout ensures a better proportioned staircase can be incorporated, thus allowing safer access to the second floor spaces.

Whilst the second floor roofspace has a reasonable footprint, headroom is quite limited either side of the ridge.

2 dormer windows are proposed to be incorporated to both sides of the roof structure. These would be sized to suit the massing of the existing building and formed in traditional materials to match the existing materials palette. The ridge height of the dormers would be below the main ridge of the house. There are existing examples of dormer windows located within Waterhouses, both modern interventions and traditional forms. Given the proposed approach in being sensitive to the design and positioning of the dormers, it is not anticipated that their introduction will be a detriment to the surrounding character and appearance of the locale.

Example images, Rocester Ln, Earlsway, Hamps Valley Road and Portland Place. CONTEXT & CONCLUSIONS:

Position & Context: Riverside Cottage is in a relatively isolated position and is read on its own merit rather than against the backdrop of Village setting. The proposals would not set a precedent and would not affect any neighbouring dwellings.

The Use: The applicants are a family, and have resided at the property for many years. The proposals have stemmed from a requirement to provide sleeping accommodation that is safe to access and practical to use. The proposals should serve to ensure the provision of family dwelling that meets the requirements of modern family living.

Design: Throughout the design process the applicants have held a strong opinion that the proposals should enhance the spaces without detrimentally affecting the external aesthetics of the Cottage. We trust the proposed designs are sensitive to the original character through careful consideration of proportion and materials pallete.

Site Location: We note the requirements of Planning within the National Park setting but would hope the application is considered on the basis that Riverside Cottage appears to straddle the boundary between the Peak National Park and Staffordshire Moorlands district.

Planning Context: Clearly there are existing examples of other Dormer Windows within the locale. These would appear to have been considered acceptable development and we note some of the later developments such as Portland Place in Waterhouses will likely have been approved fairly recently.

In summary, given the above in context we feel the proposals would only serve to enhance Riverside Cottage and provide much more suitable accommodation to the applicant’s family. It is not anticipated any of the proposals would have a negative effect to the surrounding area nor character of the village setting.

Produced by Joe Grey: For and on behalf of Derek Trowell Architects.

Derek Trowell Architects, 1 - 3 Greenhill, Wirksworth, DE4 4EN / TEL: 01629 825 491 www.derektrowellarchitects.co.uk